1. Was there a specific problem that led you to Upper Cervical Chiropractic?

About 4 years prior to becoming Dr. Rumsey’s patient, I was diagnosed with 2 fractured vertebrae in my lower back. After trying various courses of treatment, I was resigned to believing surgery was in my future, but was determined to put it off as long as possible. However, my back pain was becoming “layered,” and I was becoming both physically and mentally exhausted dealing with the pain on a daily basis. By “layering” I mean that the once sharp lower back pain had become a dull ache and the sharp pain was now a few inches higher on my back. Soon, this second sharp pain became a dull ache, only to be replaced higher up the back. I was on layer #4 when I decided to try Upper Cervical Chiropractic. In addition to the various back pains, my knees were aching, making stairs a burden. I began to notice tingling sensations in the legs and feet. Having a headache 4-5 days a week was common.

2. How did this problem affect the quality of your life?

It was emotionally and physically draining as I did my best not to let it affect the quality of my life in too many aspects. I would work through the pain associated with an activity, but was finding that was getting more and more difficult to continue to do. I did give up some activities such as soccer and tennis. I only did exercises when I felt good, thus not keeping myself in shape, as I should have been. Weight lifting was no more. Traveling was the most difficult – something we love to do, but which was becoming very painful. Between handling luggage, the plane ride in seats too big, and sleeping in strange beds, enjoying a vacation was difficult – not to mention the walking involved in sightseeing. I was in constant pain and uncomfortable. We live on an acre with over 200 ferns (which need to be cut back each year) and at least half a dozen garden beds and I was not able to keep the yard up myself any more – something I had enjoying doing for years.

3. What had you done previously to try to resolve this problem?

I wore a back brace to attempt to keep the back immobile and let the fractures heal. While wearing the back brace, I was advised to keep physical activity as minimal as possible in an effort to let the injury heal, which I did for 8-9 months. I also wore a bone stem, which pulsated electrodes to the injured area to try to help the fractures heal. I went to physical therapy to learn exercises to strengthen the surrounding areas.

4. Describe the improvements in your condition as a result of the care you received.

The “layering” aspect of the pain is gone. I do have sharp pain in the lower back now and then, but it is not constant and the dull aches no longer exist. My knees only act up once in awhile – a 90% improvement. The tingling sensations are minimal – usually occurring when I have overextended myself. Headaches are not common anymore.

5. How has your life improved while under Upper Cervical Chiropractic care? Are there things you weren’t able to enjoy fully that you can now participate in again?

I am back out on the soccer field a few times a month now – not as aggressive a player as before but it feels good to be able to get out and run. The past few months, I am out running the track 2-3 times a week. So far, the back does not complain. I am back out in the yard doing the work I had to hire someone else to do the past 2 years—cut 75 ferns with minimal back pain (probably old age back pain). I am still discovering the improvements since receiving care. For example, 4 months prior to becoming a patient, we were traveling throughout the New England states to see the fall foliage. Having flown into Rhode Island, we spent 7 days driving by car through 5 states, sleeping in a different Bed and Breakfast each night. By the 3rd day, I was on the phone to my doctor asking for pain medications. After 9 months of becoming a patient, we flew into Ontario, California, and then spent the next 6 days driving by car through 3 different states, walking each day, and sleeping in a different bed each night. This time, I did not need or want any pain medication. The pain this time was very minor and existed at the fracture sight only, something that was very manageable. More importantly, I no longer live with the layered pain. There is back pain, but it is 85% improved on a daily basis. And the headaches – I don’t know when I last suffered through one. I feel “lighter,” and happier. I don’t view each activity as how will this affect my back, I jump in and participate, cautiously, of course, but I do participate.

6. Do you have anything to share that might encourage others to consider restoring their health through Upper Cervical Chiropractic?

Trust me when I say I was skeptical at first. Having heard negative things about chiropractors in general, I put off becoming a patient until I was desperate for pain relief. Besides the skepticism, not being able to fully understand how upper cervical chiropractic really works made me question whether I really should become a patient. Maybe I feel “lighter” as I mentioned before, because I now feel my body is not continuing to deteriorate, but improving on a daily basis due to the care I have received and am continuing to receive as a patient. Even without having a full understanding of how this treatment truly “works,” I feel my body is benefitting in many ways. Sometimes when I think about how much better I do feel, I scare myself when I think I almost did not try the Upper Cervical Chiropractic treatment as I wonder how much worse my body would have been now – a year later or where it might have been 3, 4, 5 years down the road. I am very pleased with the results I have seen.

7. Additional notes/comments:

Since my return from Mexico last night, I want to mention that I did hit the tennis court 3 times while in Mexico and the back sustained quite well. It is sore, but it did well. I also ran the beach twice, did more weight training and some exercises I refused to do prior—I am sore, but nothing like I would have been prior to the treatments. I WILL MISS YOU AND I WISH YOU AND YOUR WIFE THE BEST IN ALASKA!!!

Linda Huseby – Issaquah, WA